Severe Ice Storm Halts Flights at Berlin Airport, Stranding Passengers Overnight
Operations at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) were severely disrupted due to a sudden onset of freezing rain, causing a complete suspension of flight activity from Thursday evening. Hundreds of travelers found themselves stranded as airport authorities worked to address hazardous conditions on runways and tarmacs. The incident coincided with the winter holiday travel period, amplifying the impact on passengers seeking to depart or arrive in the German capital.
The freezing rain resulted in the rapid formation of ice across airport surfaces, rendering both runways and aircraft movement areas dangerously slippery. Despite ongoing efforts by airport maintenance crews, including continuous application of de-icing agents and deployment of clearing equipment, the conditions remained treacherous well into Friday morning. Only by early afternoon did the first departing flight resume, heading towards Amsterdam, signaling the gradual restoration of airport operations.
During the course of the disruption, many passengers were compelled to spend the night within airport terminals. Extended queues formed at check-in counters as travelers awaited updates, with limited information available regarding flight statuses and potential hotel accommodations. Reports indicate that some travelers experienced inadequate communication from airlines, further contributing to uncertainty and frustration.
Airport officials stressed that the decision to operate or cancel flights ultimately rested with individual airlines, and that de-icing procedures were taking up to an hour per aircraft--more than twice the standard duration. This prolonged process led to cascading delays and additional cancellations throughout the day, affecting both domestic and international connections. Passengers were advised to closely monitor flight status updates and remain in contact with their airlines for the latest information.
The airport's winter services team remained on high alert, working continuously through the night to manage the challenging conditions. Despite their efforts, the persistent ice rendered standard snow-clearing measures insufficient. Specialist aviation safety analysts noted that ice storms present unique hazards compared to snowfall, as freezing rain can quickly coat both runways and aircraft surfaces, making takeoff and landing operations impossible until surfaces are fully treated and deemed safe.
The disruption at BER was part of a broader weather event affecting the greater Berlin region, where public transport systems also experienced significant challenges. In recent days, tram services were suspended due to frozen overhead lines, and delays were reported across several underground lines. Road traffic was also impacted, with icy conditions leading to multiple accidents, including one fatal incident in Brandenburg involving a collision attributed to road ice.
Authorities emphasized that safety remains the top priority during such extreme weather events. As operations gradually resumed, passengers were urged to stay informed and exercise patience as airlines and airport staff worked to clear backlogs and restore normal service levels.